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I Wish I Had | November 6, 2013

by Giovanna Zoboli, illustrated by Simona Mulazzani (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, March 2013)

Readers are transported to a magical animal kingdom in this elegant Italian import. Giovanna Zoboli’s lyrical text takes readers through a series of wishes by an unseen narrator, admiring each animal’s best traits (“I wish I had the eyes of a blackbird to see every blade of grass growing in the meadow . . . and the feather-light steps of a tiger as it explores in silence.”). Simona Mulazzani renders the animals masterfully, using striking compositions and sophisticated color palettes reminiscent of Henri Rousseau. Her imaginative use of pattern brings a lush, dream-like quality to each painting. Fans of Mulazzani’s artwork will especially appreciate the endpapers, which feature her preliminary pencil sketches.

 

Simona Mulazzani’s artwork recently won the Silver Medal at the Society of Illustrators’ Original Art Show 2013. You can view her original artwork and many other books at the exhibit through Dec. 21. More Information here ▸▸

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